Terrain Making Search For Missing Rocklin Hiker, Dog Difficult
DONNER SUMMIT (CBS13) — A Rocklin family holding onto faith and hope after Day 2 and no sign of their son who went hiking in the Tahoe National Forest overnight.
"Strength that I get from God makes it better, helps me get through it," said Howard Michael.
His 23-year-old son, Cody Michael, camped overnight Sunday and was expected Monday to come home, but never did.
Day 2 in the search doubled in manpower and took to the skies.
The national guard sent in Black Hawk helicopters searching a 6 mile radius, yet still no sign of Cody or his trusted German Shepard.
"Every passing day causes me pause, I won't lie," said Howard.
He's relying on faith Cody will come out of this alive.
"I wouldn't to be surprised if he does the self rescue and finds us or find someone to make a phone call," he said.
The rugged terrain is difficult to navigate and in parts the trail has been washed away by melting snow.
"His shoes were saturated so he was probably trying to stay off course and parallel to it and got off track and got twisted up in his direction," Howard said.
His son sent a text Monday saying he was cold, but fine and planned to fish and be home by noon that day. He even sent home this video.
"Mt shoes are soaking wet, my feet are freezing. Bauer is laying in the snow, doesn't seem very smart, but he looks all right," Cody Michael said in a video.
By nightfall crews were forming and the search began. But only organized experts were asked to hit the trail leaving friends and family at home feeling just as lost.
"I have been praying all morning for his safe return and I know that my heart he's ok. He's either lost or he's probably sitting somewhere waiting for the search party to find him," said Cody's boss, Rula Khatib, who says he's like a son.
While the time is quickly passing, Howard said Cody was well prepared and trained to survive and believes he's doing every bit of that now.
"Able, quite capable and he's a determined young man. He's used the phrase with me before, not in this particular situation, but in other things he's done, the mountain is not going to beat him," Howard said.
Crews did a wide search of the trail Wednesday and focused heavily around the rivers.
Overnight, the National Guard will fly a helicopter and search for heat using advanced technology.
On Thursday at 7a.m., ground crews will resume the search, but this time using a more strategic plan covering more territory.
Family tells CBS13 Cody graduated and planned to become a police officer. He's done this hike with his father before and are relying on their faith and his skills to get him out of this.
